wilms



April 22, 1930.

G. O. WILMS ELECTRICAL SWITCH :s sheets-shet Original Filed April`l4, 192] (3.C).\[LN1S April 221 193- l ELEGTRI'CAL SWITCH Re. 17,649

Y 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed April 14, 1921 G. O. WILMS ELECTRICAL swITcH April 2 2, 1930. Re; 17,649

original Filed April 14, 192.1 :,"shets'sheet 3 Reiued Apr. 22, i930 UNITED STATES,

PATENT OFFICE GUSTAV O. WILMS, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR TO THE RELIA-NCE COM- PANY, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, A. CORPORATION F WISCONSIN ELECTRICAL SWITCH Original No. 1,629,756, dated May 24, 1927, Serial No. 461,288, filed April 14,1921. Application for reissue led March 21, 1929. Serial No. 948,929.

close infrequently, but when closed remain so for comparatively long periods of time.

Normally, contactor switches similar to the` present type are maintained closed magnetically, Awhich is objectionable because of the usual characteristic humming noise and in addition the current consumption is materially increased, in that the coil is energized solong as the switch is. in closed position.

Hence it is one of the objects of the present invention to provide an electric switch in which magnet coils are utilized to either open or close-the same, thus permitting the operation of the switch from a remote point, but at the same time providing means for mechanically retaining the switch closed, necessitating but a momentary energization of the coils to effect a reduction in the'current consumption, as well as eliminate the 'characteristic humming noise of magnetically held switches. A l

In mechanically held magnetically opera# ted switches, it is a desirable feature that the magnet coil circuits be automatically o pened by a movable' member of the switch and for the efficient and-positive operation of the switch it is essential that the magnet coil circuits be opened only after the switch has reached'either its closed or opened position. Hence with the'ab'ove in mind, this invention has for one of itsobjects to provide means connected with a movable switch member for delayingr the opening of the magnet coil circuits until after the switch has come to rest in either of its two positions i. e. when the switch is being closed, with the locking latch or the like engaging the same, or when the switch is being opened` until the moving switch parts havepassed beyond mechanical locking means.

A further object of this invention is to provide a quick acting switch of the class described in which the movable parts have been reduced to a. minimum weight and contain as little mass as possibleand to provide means for delaying the opening of the magnet coil circuits, whereby the same will serve in the nature of a fly wheel and assure the `positive action of the switch inmoving to and from closed position.

Afstill fu1ther object of the present invention is to provide a switch of the class described in which the parts thereofmay be 85 easily and quickly replaced, and which will be positive in closing, reliable and unlikely to get out of repair.

With the above and other objects in view which will appear as the description pro- 70 ceeds, my invention resides in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts substantially as hereinafter described and more particularly defined by the appended claims, it being understood that such 7i changes in the precise embodiment of vthe hereindisclosed'invention may be made as come within the scope of the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, I have illlustrated two complete examples of vthi` 'S physical embodiment of my invention constructed according'to the best modes I have so far devised for the practical application of the principles thereof, and in which:

Figure l is a frontview of a switch con- El struction embodying my invention;

Figure 2 is a side view thereof;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary View, with parts 'in elevation and parts in section, illustrating my improved form of auxiliary switch construction; l

' Figure 4 is a sectional view taken longitudinally through the removable tube member ofthe auxiliary or delaying switch, the

electrodes being in elevation; y I ci Figure 5 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the circuits of the switch actuating magi net coils, and

Figure 6 is a side elevationalwiew of a modified form of switch constructionutiliz- 15J(- ing the same general principle for delaying the opening of the closing magnet coil circuit while the switch is being closed.

Referring now more particularly tothe accompanying drawings, in which like numerals designate like parts throughoutf the several views:

f i ThenumerallO designates an insulating base or panel having mounted thereon a frame `11 which forms the outside lamina: of a substantially U-shaped core 12, and a laminated armature 13, one end of which is pivotally secured to the frame 11 by a pin 14 which passes through ears 15 carried by the frame and projections 16 formed by extending the outer lamina: of the armature as best i shown in Figure 1. The other ends ofthe outermost laminas' of the armature are also extended and have a roller 17 secured therebetween by a transverse rod or projectionlS,

one end 13 of which forms a support for a` 4.movable switch `Contact 20, to be later def made fast to the yoke.

scribed, and the otherllend 21 of which forms means for connecting'lthe auxiliary Switch,

to be later described, with the armature.

The movablecontact 20 is made fast to a subtantially U-shaped yoke 22, which has' the sides thereof apertured to receive the end 19 of the rod 18, and the en d of said yoke carrying Contact 20 is at all tlmes yieldingly 'urged toward the base 10 by a spring 23, which is coiled about the pin 18 medially of which is mounted upon a standard carried by the panel 10, and when thekarmatur'e is in its full-line position depicted in Figure 2, the contacts 20 and 25 will be in positive con'- Vtact, with the spring 23 under tension.

Ille armature 13 is normally' yieldingly urged outwardly from the panel by a spring 26, the ends 27 of which are engaged over the v"extended ends 28 of the projections 16 and the medial portion of which is coiled about the pin14/` with its center abutting a rod 29 connecting the' inner portions of the ears 15. The rod 29 also serves to limit the outward movement of' the armature 13 under Vthe action of its spring 27, as the projection's28 engage said rod'when the armature is in its dotted line position depicted j in Figure'2. Wound about the upper arm of the core 12 is a closing magnet coil 30, which, when energized, draws the free end of armature 13 toward it with a quick snap movement to engage contacts 20 and 25.H

After the armature has been moved toits position closing contacts 20 and 25, it is, mechanically held closed by a latch 31, which has its inner end pivotally mounted upon a pin Y32 journaled in a bearing bracket 33 `carried by a platev 34 secured to the base and having its outer ends provided with oppositely extending portions 35and 36. The portion 35 has its end surface notched or recessed,4 as` at "37, toV engage over and lock behind the roller 17 when the armature is notch 37 can engage roller 17. The latch 31 is preferably arranged whereby its ownI Weight will' engage its projection 37 with the armature to secure the same closed.

.The latch member 31 is actuated to rei lease the armature, by an opening coil 38 which is wound about `a core, not shown, carried by the'plate 34, and from which core projects a polepiece 39. The projection or portion 36 of the latch 31 is recessed to receive the free end of an armature 40, which has its inner end pivotally mounted on the pin 32, and when the coil 38 is energized, the'armature 40 will be attracted to the pole piece 39, raising the outer end of the latch to permit the-opening of the switch;

The closing coil 30 is secured on the arms of the U-shaped core by bracket arms 41 secured to the frame 11, and one terminal 42 of the coil is connected by a conductor 43 with one contact 44 of a control switch such as a thermostat or theJ like, the other terminal 44 being connected with one supply line 45 through the vimproved form of Yauxiliary ork delaying switch, to be later described. Theopening coil 38 has one terminal 46 connected with a contact 47 of the control switch by a conductor 48 and its other terminal 49 connected with the supply line 45 through the auxiliary delaying switch. The conductor 45 of the supply lines has one end connected-v to a terminal 50 of a standard 51, which carries the stationary contact 25. The load line is made fast to a terminal 52 carried by the frame 11 and from which runs a lead 53 to the movable contact 20. The other Vconductor 54 of the supply lines has a conductor 55 leading therefrom and connected with the movable switch thereby completing the' circuit to the load,

the latch 31 engaging over the roller 17 to lock the switch closed. The coil 30 is deenergized, after the switch has closed, by opening tion` of the coil must not be instantaneousthe coil circuit through the medium of an auxiliary switch actuated by movement -of the armature, which switch is so arranged and designed as to delay the opening of the coil circuit until after the switch is fully closed and mechanically locked.

l...With the. switch closed, and assuming that with a quick snap movement to eliminate as much as possible the arcing and pitting therof. It is also desirable that the coil 38 be deenergized after the switch has been opened,.but at the same time the deenergizawith the attraction ofthe armature to the pole piece 39, ,instead the coil must be maintainedlenergized until the armature 13 has practically reached its full open position in 31 droppin order to prevent the possibility of the latch and engaging behind the roller 17 before t e force of thesprings 23 and 26 have started the opening movement ofthe switch parts.

The means for delaying the opening of the coil circuits'consists/of a standard 57 4secured to the panel 10 and having a shaft 58 jour- I naled in its upper end, theI inner end of which vso is cranked as at 59 and ivotally receives one end of an insulating li or cr'ank rod 60, the other end of which 1s pivotally secured to the projected'end 210i the rod 18. Fixed to the outer end of the shaft 58 isan insulated plate 61 provided at its end with spring contacts 62 and 63,the inner ends of which are made fast to the inner face of the-plate 61 and then extend inwardly 'at right angles and are coiled, as-at 64 and 65, to overlie vthe grooves or channels 66 and 67, respectively, of an insulating spool 68 mounted on the shaft 58 intcrmediate the late ,61 and standard 57.

The plate 61 1s also provided with an Aintermediate spring contact 69 in the form of a U cli to removably secure the auxiliary switc proper in position, which is in the form of a tube 70 of insulating material such as glass or the like and closed at both ends by -ferrules or ca s 71 and 72, carrying contacts or electrodes 3 and 74, respectively, extending into the interior of the tube. The electrodes 73 and 74 are preferably secured to the caps 71 and 72 by riveting over the outer ends thereof Yto rovide projections 75 and 76 which are a apted to engage in the openings 77V and 78 of the sprin contacts 62 and 63 respectively. The tube 0 also has a ferrule or band 79 secured toits central ortion which carries a substantially Trshape current conductor 80, the Itransverse portion of which is in substantial alignment with the axis ofthe tube and the longitudinal portion of which is electrically `connected to the ferrule 7 9 as at 81. v

The current conductor or electrode 80 is at all times connected with the supplyline` 45- through the spring contact 69, shaft 58, standard 57, a conductor 82 having one end connected to the standard 57 and its other end connected to frame 11, and then out to the sipply line 45. The spring Contact 62 has a conductor 83 secured `in its end 64 then loosely wound around spool 68, in its channel .and 'v When the tube is in its dotted position in Figure 2, the mercury 85 touches and elec-,V

trically connects the electrode 73 and the end 87 of the connector 80. y

With the switch open, see dotted line position in Figure 2,8the tube 70 will be inclined with the ferrule 71 beneath the ferrule 72, as a result of which the mercury 85 electrically connects electrode 73 with electrodeSO, and

the side 44 of the coil`30 is in electrical connection with the load line 45. With the arts in these positions, an engagement of t e control switch member-56 with contact 44 will electrically connect the side 44 of the coil 30 with the load line 54, when the coil 30 will be energized to attract the armature 13 and close the switch.

As t-he armature moves inwardly the tube 70 is rotated in the direction of the arrow in Figure 2, but the action of the mercury 85 in electrically disconnecting electrodes 73 and 80 is delayed due to the inertia of the mercury,

the adhesion between'the mercury andthe inside walls of the-glass tube and the centrifugal force which tends to retain the mercury at the end of the tube.v By reason of these factors, the armature comes to rest with a quick snap. in-its closed position and the latch 31 mechanically secures the same.` When the armature has come to rest in its closed position, the abrupt arresting of the rotary movement of the tube 70 permits the mercury to run to the other-end thereof, which-is now beneath Vthe horizontal, -thus electrically fdisconnecting electrodes 73 and 80.

The mercu' `85 now electricall the electrodes 4 and 80 andthe si e 49 of the opemng coil 38 is in electrical connection with the supply line 45, so that when the cont-rol switch member 56 is engaged with -connects contact 47, theside 46 ofthe coil is electri- A130 position. The tube 70 is rotated in a. direc-- tion reverse to the arrow. in Figure 2 when thesswitch is being opened and the opening of the circuit of coil 38 is delayed in the same vmanner hereinbefore described in connection with the closing of the switch. The travel of l the auxiliary or mercury switch, in degrees,

is much greater than that of the armature 13, as a result of which the peripheral speed of the mercury switch is materially increased.

By the use of the auxiliary switch hereinbefore described, it is possible to reduce the mass ofthe switch parts to a minimum as the tube 7 0 and plate 61 have a Vfly-,wheel eiect to assist in the closing of the switch.

In Figure 6, I have illustrated a slightly modified embodiment of my invention in whichinertia means are also utilized to delay the opening of the closing coil circuits. In this Vform of'my invention the armature 13 carries an' arm 88 adjacent its pivot, the 'outer end ofV which is pivotally connected to a bolt or rod 89 which is dpassed through ,an

opening in the closed; en of a substantially 'U-shaped member 90 and is yieldably restrainedfrom movement in one direction by a spring 91 coiled about the bolt 89 and between the head 92 thereof and the closed end 93 of said yoke member.

yThe yoke member 90 has' its sides correspondinglyI slotted as at 94 to receive a pin 95 carried by the outer end fof a lever 96 `free ends of the yoke member.

which is medially pivo/tally'securedtothe post 97 carried by a standard 98 supported from the panel 10. With the switch in open position, the yoke member 90 will be at its lower limit of movement with the the upper ends of the slots 94 and t e spring `91 extended, but maintained under a tension by a weight 99 confined between the outer The panel 10 has two contacts 100 and 101 carried thereby adjacent the standard 98, and the contact 100 isconnected with the side 44 of the coil 30 by a lconductor 1.02 and the contact 101 is connected to the supply line 45l by a conductor 103. `The contacts 100 and 101 are electrically connected, when thc switch is open by a disk 104 which is mounted on the end of 'a rod 105-slidably mounted in' the free endof a lever 106 having its inner end journaled as at 107 to the standard` 98. A positive contact between the disk and the contacts 100 and 101 is assured by an extensilev in 90 at and the armature drawn inwardly with Ia snappy positive movement and by reason of its ,connection` with the lever 88 the rod 89 will be also raised with the quick snappy movement. By reason-ofthe inertia of the Weight 99, the oke n ie'n'iber 90 will remain practically" stationaryjandtlie rod 89 will move upwardly compressing spring 91, un-

til sufficient energy is stored'v in the s ring 91 to overcome the inertia ofvv the wel t 99. By the time the armature 13 has reac led its closed position and isinechanically held by the latch 31, the'jyoke'fmember. 90 will be moved upwardly by the-force of the spring 91 until the lower facejof slot 94. engages pin 95, rocking the lever 96 onitscentral pivot to shorten the distance between the standard 97 and the pivotal connection between lever 106 and link 109 to disconnect contacts 100 and 101. l

While in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings, the contacts 20 and 25 haveV been described and illustrated as being actuated to close a circuit When'the delaying action of openingthe coil 30 circuit takes place, it will be obvious that the action may be reversed where the construction is such that the contacts 20 and 25 are electricallysdisconnected when the coil 30 is energized.

I claim: p y 1; Anelectric switch of the class described comprising a movable armature, an electromagnet acting on said armature, a switch for connecting said electromagnct with an electric supply circuit, land a delaying means arsaid delaying means being rendered inactive substantially immediately upon the armature y reaching a point of rest.

2. In a mechanically held electric switch, a switch member movable to and fromiclosing position, a magnet coil for said member included within an electric circuit, and means operable by said switch member for opening `the magnet coil circuit, said means including Aparte., the inertia of which tend to delay the l opening of said circuit.

3. In a mechanically held magnetic switch,

a movable member,k a magnet coil operable, lupon being energized, to actuate theswitch,

and means operable by a closing movement of said mem er to open vthe circuit of said coil,the inertia of slaid means tending to delay the openlngof sald magnet coil circuit. e

a magnet coil operable upon the closing of itscircuit to release said switch securing means, and means operable by an opening movement of said switch member for opening the circuit of said magnet coil, the inertia of said'last mentioned Vmeans tending to delay' the opening of said magnet coil circuit.

5. In a mechanically held magnetic switch, a member movable to and from closing position, a closing magnet coil, releasable means for retaining the switch closed, a tripping magnet coil for said means, said coils being included within suitable electric circuits, and means operable by said switch member for opening and closing the magnet coil circuits vto render the closing and tripping coils inoperative as the switch is closed and opened, respectively.

6. In a mechanically held magnetic switch, a member movable to and from closing position, a closing magnet coil, releasable means for retaining the switch closed, a tripping magnet coil for said means, said coils being included within suitable electric circuits, and means Voperable by said switch member for opening and closingthe circuits of said magnet coils, said last mentioned means including parts the inertia of which, tends to delay the opening and closing of said coil circuits."

7. In a mechanically held magnetic switch, a switch closing magnet coil, means for releasably holding the switch closed, a coil inbluded within a circuit and adapted upon the completion of the circuit to close the switch, and an auxiliary switch for opening the coil circuit to render the same inoperative, said auxiliary switch consi'sting of a supporting means, a connection between the switch and the supporting means whereby actuation of the switch imparts arotary movement tothe supporting means, fixed contacts carried by said su porting means and a shifting contact carried by the supporting means and arranged to electrically connect and disconnect said fixed contacts, ad-

hesion, and friction between the shifting con-I tact and supporting means and the inertia of the shifting contact itself resulting in a. resistance to any force tending to set the same iu motion upon rotation o the supporting means by actuation of the switch to appreciably delay the action thereof. v

8. In an electric switch, a switch member movable to and from closing position as the switch isl actuated, a control magnet coil for the switch included within a circuit which when closed will energize the magnet coil and move the switch to one of its positions and when opened will deenergize the coil when the switch has moved to its other position, and an auxiliary switch operable by said movable member for opening said circuit after theJ swltchhas come to rest in one of its two positlonssaid auxiliary switch including a rotary member whereby the motion thereof will impart an added momentumy to the movable member of the switch in its movements from one position to another.

9. In an electric switch, a switch member movable to and from closing position as the switch is actuated, a control magnet coil for the switch included within a circuit which when closed will energize the magnet coil and move vthe switch to one of its positions and when opened will deenergize the coil when the switch has moved to its other position, a sha-ft rotatably mounted`adjacent the movable switch member, a connection between the movable switch-member and the shaft whereby the same is rotated by movement of said switch member, and an auxiliary switch operable by rotation of said shaft tb open said circuit after the switch has come to rest `in `one of its two positions.

10.'In an electric switch, a switch member movable to and from closing position as the switch is actuated, a control magnet coil for theswitch included within a circuit which when closed will energize the magnet coil and move the switch to one of its positions and adaptedto be de-energized when the switch has moved. to its other position, a shaft rotatably mounted adjacent the switch member, means connecting saidV shaft with the switch member whereby movement of said member rotates the shaft, and an 'auxiliary switchreadily detachably connected with the shaft and operable by rotation thereof to open said circuitafter the switch has come to rest in one of its two positions.

V11. In an electric switch, a switch member movable to and from closing position as 'the switch lis' actuated, a control magnet'c'oil for the switch included within a circuit which when closed wi-ll energize the magnet' coil and move the switch to one of its positions and adapted to be de-energized when the switch has mpved to its other position, a shaft rotatably mounted adjacent the switch member, a crank arm on said shaft, av link connecting the crank arm with the switch member whereby movement of the switch member rotates said* shaft, and an auxiliary switch `actuated by rotation of said shaft to open the circuit after the switch has come tov rest in one of its two positions.

12. In an electrical switch, ai switch member movable to and from closing position as the switch is actuated, electrical means for actuating the switch member, a rotatably mounted plate member, means connecting the plate member with the switch member whereby actuation of the switch member rotates the same, a cartridge-type circuit making and breakin devicedetachably mounted on the plate, an said switch actuating and circuit making and lill) i breaking device beingincluded within suitable electrical circuits whereby vactuation lof the switch member will make and break the circuits of the said switch actuating meansyin said cartridge-.type circuit making and breaking device. v 13. An electrically operated circuit controlling device comprising a movable switch member, electro-responsive operating means for quickly operating the movable switch member `between two positions, contact mechanism operated by the switch member 'for control.

` ling vthe said operating means, and inertia/ fluid contact meansoperated means for delaying operation of the said contact mechanism to control the said operatlng means -upon a.k quick movement of the switch member from each of said positions to the other. f v

14. An electrically operated circuit controlling device comprising a movable switch member, an electro-responsive operating means for quickly operating the movable-- switch member between two positions, and

y the switch member for controlling the said operating means and having such inertia as to operatev a time interval after the quick operation of Y said switch member from each of saidpositions to the other.

15. An electrically operated circuit controlling device comprising a circuit controlling element movable in the arc of a circle from one position to another position, a relatively movable circuit controlling element operable into circuit closing engagement with said first element in said one position and having such inertia as to be moved integrall therewith by centrifugal force upon aquic movement of-said first element from said one position to the other position and thereby being biased to move out of circuit closing engagement with said first element, and electro-responsive means for quickly operating said first element from said one position to the other position connected to be energized through said i and having such incr ia as to temporarily remain inicircuit closing engagement with the corresponding contact upon the operation ot' said container from each of said positions to another of said positions, and electro-responsive means for operating the said container from each `oi said positions to the other, the said means being connected to be energized through said conducting iuid andthe correv spending contact whereby the said means is maintained'energized during and until after completion of the operation of said container l from each of said positions to another of said positions. l s

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature.

Gus'rAv o. WILMS. 

